Hoops

Melb United vs LA Clippers, 14th Oct

Aussie Hoops forum members logic

"Clippers were missing Paul George and Leonard, but United were missing Goulding and Prather, so that cancels each other".

If that's their team, and you want to claim that your team can compete with an NBA team, yes.

This idea that "they didn't play much and didn't do much anyway" living at the same time as "do you really want NBL end of bench guys playing minutes against NBA guys?" again shows the real understanding of where the leagues are at and that the whole idea that NBL teams can compete with NBA teams is bunk.

And they also don't get many minutes in NBL games.

It's not like the ring-ins played much.
Quincy Miller played 12 minutes.
Anthony Brown played 18 minutes.

The only players who played less were Dillon Stith (4 min) and Sam Short (2 min). As an example of their usual playing time, Stith played 2 minutes against SEM, while Short was a DNP. They played more in Perth when Goulding was out. Minutes will diminish when Prather and Barlow return.

Are you sure you think more PT for end of benchers against NBA opposition is the way to go?

But they had guys who made the trip who played a few minutes each...

Most teams do it with their usual roster, that's the point.

It's pretty much just teams with injuries who bring in replacements, which is a much better idea than running your players mega minutes in a meaningless game when you have to get back across the other side of the world and play an important game a few days later.

Depth is a test of talent. If you're gonna claim you can compete, do it with a squad that could legally compete in the NBL. They took guys who ARE a part of their squad who barely played. Use them.

I acknowledge they would have preferred Prather and Barlow, but they did also do this another year with only one injured player, bringing in 3 ring ins.

"Also worth noting that the NBA teams haven't even made their final cuts yet, so they have a depth advantage to begin with"

They also didn't have ANY of their top players.

All I'm saying is, if the NBL really believes the stuff they're saying about being able to compete with an NBA team, you should do it with your own team. Bringing in these guys is clear admission that they don't believe that.

Also worth noting that the NBA teams haven't even made their final cuts yet, so they have a depth advantage to begin with.

Cram, you already acknowledge the talent and depth disparity between NBL and NBA teams. Two injured starter-level players on an NBL team makes a big difference; replacing them with ring-ins helps consolidate some depth, which has always been an issue for NBL teams that are not accustomed to 48 minute games. Taking the 'not genuine NBL team' argument, then of course bringing ring-ins adds to that; but if the choice is between getting demolished at the end of the game due to lack of depth, or having a chance to push for a close finish, would you care to speculate what United (and probably the NBA team) and most fans would prefer to see? By the way, surely United would take a healthy Pranther and Barlow above the two ring-ins in these games.

Boosting numbers when they had guys actually on their roster barely play?

If I'm being unreasonable its because I think seeing an actual NBL team compete is more impressive than a team that couldn't suit up in the NBL.

"And they replaced them with better players."

Did you see the game? The ring-ins weren't bad, but they were the culprits of numerous poor defensive rotations. You could also see the offense visibly stall at times when they were on.

I took the decision as boosting numbers for a 48 minute game when key rotation players are injured. Saves flying an extra player in too.

The NBL teams at this stage have little incentive to put effort in. Really go all out for the win when the regular season is under way? Some games have reflected that IMO.

Yes it is a cop out.
In saying that the concept of nbl v nba is still good for the game, Sydney and Perth would have been good. Weaver has kings playing well and Gleeson always has Perth there about.
If they could get a euro team game in Australia or Europe would be good as well.

Then why have them? Why not give those minutes to your young players? Its a cop out.

And they replaced them with better players. If you want to talk about strength of your team/league, depth is part of that. Injuries are part of sport. They should have replaced the players with who they would have replaced them with in an NBL game.

I feel the league should be doing what they can to bring European teams to Aus for pre-season to actually see if we can compete with them. I know NBA is the biggest stage and Euro teams are unknown but while the big teams are flown to USA why don't the teams not going take on decent oppo

"Those imports barely played and weren't really contributors. "

They still felt the need to have them. If you're gonna play and talk up how our league can match it with theirs, do it with a team that can play in our league.

I'm not sure a feed from the arena's big screens with robot radio commentary justifies much of anything TBH. A TV broadcast needs to be a minimum requirement going forward.

Makes it hard when your opponent plays 14 imports

Kind of knew Adelaide were in trouble when they got knocked off by the Gileas in one of the pre-season games.

While they continue to top up with extra imports, its clear that we're a long way behind.

109-94 SBS stream keeps dying fuck this.

100-87 now on the Long dunk with just over 7 minutes to go, still a slight chance here.

Clippers up 100-85 with 7:29 left in the 4th.

I have to ask if anyone knows, why the heck basketball commentary is 70% unrelated to the game. NBL.tv, Ten, NZ broadcasts all do this.
I understand not every action in the game needs to be spoken about but do we need to have completely irrelevant discussions!!